George Herbert Walker Bush was an American statesman, military veteran, and the 41st president of the United States, serving from 1989 to 1993. Born into a prominent family in Massachusetts, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 18th birthday and became one of the youngest naval aviators in World War II, flying 58 combat missions in the Pacific and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery. After the war, Bush built a successful business career in the Texas oil industry before entering public service, including terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and leadership roles such as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and director of the Central Intelligence Agency. As vice president under Ronald Reagan, he played a key role in shaping foreign policy during the final years of the Cold War, and as president he led a coalition to victory in the Gulf War and navigated global change at the end of the 20th century. Family was central to his life, he and his wife Barbara shared a 73‑year marriage and raised six children, including future president George W. Bush, making their family one of America’s most notable political dynasties.